DISEASES OF CATTLE 201 



In other cases the shivering escapes notice, the general disorder 

 of the system is little marked or comes on late, and the first observed 

 sign of illness is the firm swelling heat, and tenderness of the bag. 

 As the inflammation increases and extends, the hot, tender udder 

 causes the animal to straddle with its hind limbs, and when walking 

 to halt on the limb on that side. If the cow lies down it is on the 

 unaffected side. With the increase in intensity and the extension of 

 the inflammation the general fever manifests itself more promi- 

 nently. In some instances the connective tissue beneath the skin and 

 between the lobules of the gland is affected, and then the swelling is 

 uniformly rounded and of nearly the same consistency, pitting 

 everywhere on pressure. In other cases it primarily attacks the se- 

 creting tissue of the gland, and then the swelling is more localized 

 and appears as hard, nodular masses in the interior of the gland. 

 This last is the usual form of inflammation occurring from infection 

 entering by the teats. 



In all cases, but especially in the last-named form, the milk is 

 suppressed and replaced by a watery fluid colored with blood (some- 

 times deeply) and mingled with masses of clotted casein. Later it 

 becomes white and purulent, and in many cases of an offensive odor. 



The course of the disease is sometimes so rapid and at others so 

 slow that no definite rule can be laid down. In two or three days, 

 or from that to the end of the week, the bag may soften, lose its heat 

 and tenderness, and subside into the healthy condition, even resum- 

 ing the secretion of milk. The longer the inflammatory hardness 

 continues the greater the probability that its complete restoration 

 will not be effected. When a portion of the gland fails to be restored 

 in this way, and has its secretion arrested, it usually shrinks to a 

 smaller size. More commonly a greater amount of the inflammatory 

 product remains in the gland and develops into a solid fibrous mass, 

 causing permanent hardening (induration). In other cases, in 

 place of the product of inflammation developing a fibrous mass, it 

 softens and breaks down into the white creamy liquid pus (abscess). 

 This abscess may make its way to the surface and escape externally, 

 or it may burst into a milk duct and discharge through the teat. It 

 may break into both and establish a channel for the escape of milk 

 (fistula). In the worst types of the disease gangrene may ensue, a 

 quarter or half or even the whole udder, losing its vitality, and 

 sloughing off if the cow can bear up against the depressing influence. 

 These gangrenous cases are probably always the result of infection 

 and sometimes run a very rapidly fatal course. I recall one to which 

 I was called as soon as the owner noticed it, yet I found one quarter 

 dark blue, cold, and showing a tendency to the formation of blebs 

 containing a bloody secretion. The cow, which had waded through a 

 depth of semiliquid manure to reach her stall, died within twenty- 

 four hours. 



Treatment. Treatment will vary with the type and the stage 

 of the disease. If the case is seen in the shivering fit, every effort 

 should be made to cut that short, as the inflammation may be there- 

 by greatly moderated, if not checked. Copious drinks of warm water 



